Primate Experimentation in the US: The Facts We Weren’t Supposed to Know
By Michael A. Budkie, A.H.T.
513-575-5517 [email protected]

University of California, San Francisco

Inspection reports for the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) beginning in September of 2000 reveal a continuing
pattern of animal abuse and neglect. On September 27 and 28 USDA/APHIS
officials performed an inspection of UCSF labs as a result of a
complaint which was filed against the facility. Their inspections found
that the complaint was “basically valid.” The complaint centered around
experimentation on primates which denied them sufficient food and water.
Violations in areas of IACUC, Personnel Qualifications, Veterinary care
(“Monkey #17562 was identified as not being a good candidate for a water
restriction study, due to a chronic diarrhea problem, according to
veterinary statements in the animal’s medical record. The records did
not indicate a resolution of the chronic diarrhea [a water loss
problem], yet this animal remained assigned to the protocol and was
placed on a long-term water restriction schedule in October 1999. The
animal was also noted as thin and not gaining weight as early as July
13, 1999, yet no medical attention was provided for this problem until
August, 2000.”), Handling, and Feeding. The inspector concludes the
report with a very damning statement: “In my professional judgment, the
nutritional requirements of these animals were not met for either food
or water.”

On 5/17 – 25/01 UCSF is cited for IACUC violations for
performing survival surgery on an animal that was sick, and for
inappropriately monitoring a research protocol that involved confining
primates to restraint chairs for a period of up to 8 hours, and improper
use of post-operative analgesics. UCSF is also cited for inadequate
veterinary care of sheep at this time.

On 7/30/01 UCSF is again inspected as a result of a
complaint. The complaint was apparently filed because a primate had been
ill and vomiting for approximately 5 weeks. This primate was also
involved in a training protocol that involved water restriction.

On 1/28/02 the UCSF IACUC is again cited for
ineffective monitoring of experimental procedures. Specifically, the
primate water restriction project is mentioned again. Insufficient means
of monitoring the weight loss of primates, and the endpoint necessary
for the advent of veterinary involvement are deemed to be insufficient.
The lab is also cited for inappropriate feed storage, primary
enclosures, sanitation, and inappropriate waste disposal.

On 8/5/02 UCSF is again cited for IACUC violations for
investigators not following experimental protocols, insufficient
administration of analgesics, insufficient consideration given to
potentially painful and stressful procedures (in primates), and
inadequate veterinary care. The veterinary care incident involved a
marmoset that had been allowed to lose 36% of his/her body weight
without receiving any treatment. Violations in sanitation and cleaning
are again mentioned.

On 2/4/03 UCSF is again cited for IACUC violations
regarding post-surgical monitoring of primates and inadequate use of
analgesics. These violations involve projects where holes were bored
into the skulls of primates. The facility is also cited for
falsification of animal records and inadequate sanitation.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle the United
States Department of Agriculture has recently filed charges against UCSF
for:

”-- Doing a craniotomy to expose a monkey's brain
without administering post-operative analgesics.